By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of July 15th to July 22nd covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Algieri Thrills Hometown Crowd
Chris Algieri put an exclamation point on his return to the Paramount winning a unanimous decision before a raucous hometown crowd at Rockin Fights 9.
Algieri, “The Pride of Huntington,” bloodied the more experienced “Mighty Mike” Arnaoutis with a cut over the right eye in the eighth round and kept up a constant barrage right to the final bell.
The now 17-0 (7 KO) Algieri never looked back after a hard left in the second stunned him, and he used a combination of skill and superior stamina to wear down the heavy-hitting Greek.
Ji-Hoon Kim Wins WBO Asia Pacific Welterweight Title
Saturday in South Korea, Ji-Hoon Kim scored a third-round stoppage over Roy Tua Manihuruk to capture the WBO Asia Pacific Welterweight title.
Kim, fighting at welterweight for the first time, looked strong as he dropped Manihuruk in round two with a perfect uppercut. Kim controlled the fight and ended things at 0:57 into round three, when he floored Manihuruk with a double right and referee Bruce McTavish stopped the bout.
Kim, who has been a favorite of American fans due to his all-action style, will now be ranked at welterweight by the WBO as his record improves to 25-9 with 19 knockouts.
Manihuruk of Indonesia is now 14-8-2.
“After his Ji-Hoon’s fight with (Mauricio) Herrera we wanted him to go back and work on things.” said Banner Promotions CEO Arthur Pelullo.
“He looked good at the new weight and we will now look to get him a good fight.”
Golden Boy Live! Hits Broadway for Series Debut on Fox Sports 1
Golden Boy will be making their series debut on Fox Sports 1 on Monday, August 19th, from the Best Buy Theater in New York City. It will be the first of 24 Monday Night Event Series and it kicks off with Danny Jacobs vs. Giovanni Lorenzo and Eddie Gomez vs. Steven Upsher Chambers.
“The launch of FOX Sports 1 is a major event not only for boxing, but the sports world,” said Oscar De La Hoya, president.
Tickets for Cotto vs. Rodriguez Go On Sale July 30th
The pride of Puerto Rico, Miguel Cotto, will be making his Florida debut against Delvin Rodriguez on Saturday, October 5th at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Tickets for this event will go on sale on Tuesday, July 30th at 10 A.M. ET.
Tickets can be purchased online at amwaycenter.com
“I am very happy to be back on October 5th and fighting in front of all the great fans of Orlando, Florida,” said Cotto. “I’m going for the knockout,” said Rodriguez. “I will take advantage of the biggest opportunity of my life.”
Pacquiao vs. Rios China and US Media Tour Starts Saturday
Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios will be going around the world on their media tour. The 23,722 mile international media trek to announce their November 23rd showdown presented live by HBO Pay-Per-View includes stops in Macau, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Bristol, New York, and Los Angeles .
The media tour will kick off at The Venetian, Macao, on Saturday, July 27, and then head to Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore before meeting U.S.-based media with a day spent at the Bristol, Conn.-based headquarters of ESPN, followed by press conferences in New York and Los Angeles.
Floyd Mayweather Named 2013 ESPY Winner
In a move that probably surprised nobody, Floyd “Money” Mayweather was named the 2013 ESPY Award Winner for best fighter for the fifth time in seven years. With his plans to fight more often for Showtime, it wouldn’t be a shocker if he wins a few more before retiring.
Chavez vs. Vera Tickets Go On Sale on Friday
Former World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion and son of a legend, Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., returns to the ring in his 2013 debut when he faces No. 1 contender Bryan “The Warrior” Vera. The Chávez vs. Vera rumble, scheduled for 12 rounds at the super middleweight division, will take place Saturday, September 7, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. This marks the first time Chávez has fought in Los Angeles since June 4, 2011, when he won the world title over undefeated interim world champion Sebastian Zbik.
Promoted by Top Rank in association with Zanfer Promotions, Banner Promotions and Tecate, tickets to Chávez vs. Vera will go on sale This Friday, July 19, at 1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT. Tickets, priced at $250, $150, $100, $75 and $50 (plus applicable taxes and fees), can be purchased online at http://www.axs.com, by telephone at (888) 929-7849 or at the Staples Center box office, Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Danny Garcia vs. Lucas Matthysse Added to Mayweather vs. Canelo PPV
Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions officially announced today that Undisputed Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift” Garcia and WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse will meet in a decisive bout which will anchor the undercard of the biggest boxing event in years entitled “THE ONE: Mayweather vs. Canelo” on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, live on Showtime PPV.
“This is the fight I wanted and the fight that I asked for. That is why I’m so happy this fight has been made and will be a part of this huge event,” said Danny Garcia. “I’m more confident than ever in my abilities and I’m going to show it on September 14. Matthysse is a good fighter and has a big punch, but I’m a talented fighter with what it takes to be a champion and stay that way. This is an opportunity for the world to see what I can really do in the ring.”
“I’m glad I finally get a chance to fight Danny Garcia,” said Lucas Matthysse. “This is the fight that the entire boxing world (especially my country Argentina) and I wanted. I want to thank my promoters Golden Boy Promotions and Mario Arano for making this fight possible. On September 14, I will show the world that I am the best 140 pound fighter on the planet.”
Gary Shaw Productions Presents ESPN Friday Night Fights at the Morongo Casino on August 9th
Gary Shaw Productions in association with Lucas Oil present ESPN Friday Night Fights August 9, 2013 at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif. In the main-event lightweights Rustum Nagaev (24-6, 14 KOs) and Jose Hernandez (14-6-1, 6 KOs) will battle in a 10-round bout. The co-main event will feature Jose Pedraza (13-0, 9 KOs) vs. Gabriel Tomalyjan (13-2-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-round super-featherweight bout. ESPN’s Friday Night Fights telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
After back-to-back knockouts against Daniel Attah (28-15-1, 8 KOs) and Jonathan Maicelo (19-1, 11 KOs), Russian born Nagaev is marching toward title contention. Another win against Hernandez on national television will get Rustum one step closer to a title fight. He feels his dream is becoming a reality and is excited to be fighting in the main event.
“This will be my third fight back after an extensive layoff and I feel unstoppable at the moment,” said Nagaev. “I’m very grateful to Gary Shaw for giving me the opportunity to showcase my talents on national TV for the second time this year. Fighting in the main event is awesome and I promise to give the fans another great fight. Like always I’m coming to knockout my opponent.”
Larry Holmes & Julio Cesar Chavez to Attend Nevada Boxing HOF Induction
Larry Holmes and Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., two of boxing’s greatest champions, confirmed they will be present in Las Vegas for their induction into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 10th at the Monte Carlo Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
“I’m honored to be inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, and I want to express my appreciation to all those who voted for me,” Holmes said. “Vegas has always been my home away from home. There’s nothing like Las Vegas.”
“I’m privileged to be inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame,” Chávez said. “I would like to thank the Nevada Athletic Commission, the city of Las Vegas, and all the sportswriters for this honor. I am humbled by it. I would also like to say thank you to the guys that I faced over my career. I appreciate all of you, I enjoyed the competition and it was an honor to face you. Also, I would like to thank my family, which has played a big role in my life, and all those people that have played a role in my career and those who have made a positive impact in my life.
“Last but not least are the fans. I feel truly blessed by the fans and all the support they have given me throughout my boxing career as well as all that support my family over the years, I will never forget all those memories.”
ShoBox: The New Generation Tripleheader Lands at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California
In the midst of a sizzling summer season of boxing, Golden Boy Promotions will turn up the heat at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California on Friday, August 9 with a ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader featuring one of the hottest heavyweights in the game, unbeaten knockout artist Deontay Wilder live on Showtime (10:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
In a 10-round main event, Alabama’s Wilder puts his perfect 28-0 record on the line against former Heavyweight World Champion Sergei Liakhovich. In the co-featured bouts, unbeaten lightweights Francisco Vargas of Mexico and Cincinnati’s Brandon Bennett meet in a 10-round match-up and Houston’s undefeated Jermall Charlo risks his unblemished record against Miami veteran Antwone Smith in a 10-round junior middleweight bout.
Chisora Made Mandatory Challenger for European Title
Dereck Chisora has been declared the mandatory challenger to European Heavyweight Champion Kubrat Pulev. The Finchley star is back on hot form following his sixth round knockout of unbeaten American Malik Scott on Saturday night at Wembley Arena to claim the WBO International title.
Chisora’s promoter Frank Warren has added the 29-year-old to the big Copper Box Arena show on Saturday 21st September that features Billy Joe Saunders’ British Middleweight title showdown against rival John Ryder.
Chisora is excited to return to the ring on the big Copper Box Arena show.
“I’m back in business and ready for whatever comes my way from Frank,” said Chisora.
“Whoever he puts in front of me I’m destroying, just like Scott, they’re going down. This is the new Dereck Chisora back on the road to winning the world heavyweight title. Kubrat for the European title would be nice and he’s going to get knocked out, or bring me another unbeaten Yank to spank in Deontay Wilder. It’s all about keeping busy and building on each win so roll on September 21st for the grand opening of the Copper Box Arena and I’ll be making sure that the Box Rocks when I’m in action!”
